The study, in the Journal of Environmental Research, found living next a dual carriageway is the same as being exposed to 10 cigarettes’ worth of second-hand smoke – while living by a steel factory is equivalent to three.

It comes as senior UK public health figures call for higher taxes on diesel cars in the wake of increasing evidence of harm caused by air pollution.

John Middleton, president of the Faculty of Public Health, told The Times: “The thing about air pollution is that it affects everybody.

“There has to be a recognition of the role of diesel and tax on diesel use will need to be increased.”

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